Wednesday morning we said our goodbyes and got on the road. We had beautiful weather for driving and made it to Iowa City, IA, for the night.
Thursday we again had beautiful traveling weather and headed to just north of Wichita, KS. Once we got settled at the hotel, I went for a 4.39 mile run in 45 minutes on the treadmill. It was a pretty good run considering it was a dreadmill.
Friday we headed west and the first couple of hours were AWFUL. The roads were slushy and a little slippery and everyone was driving really dumb. And then all of a sudden, it was like there had been a wall put up and the storm happened on one side of the wall and not the other. The roads were completely dry and clear. People were still driving dumb though. We had great weather for the rest of the drive to Albuquerque, NM, where I hit up the dreadmill again for my 1st annual New Years Eve 5K. I ran the 3.1 miles in 31:30. It was a great way to end the year. I called Mom & Dad and Rick shortly after midnight their time to wish them all Happy New Year. We went to bed shortly after that.
Saturday morning we checked out of the hotel and got the van loaded up for the last time this trip! And we headed HOME!!! We stopped in Deming, NM, at a little local steakhouse and had a really good lunch. We got home around 6 or so and just took in the essentials. After relaxing for a little bit, we headed to Denny’s for supper before settling in for the night – in our own beds!! Oh, and the cats were glad to see me, but I think Shadow is still a little mad. Callie has been following me around the house like a puppy dog.
Totals from the trip home and back: 5 nights in hotels in 4 different states, drove through/in 10 states, over 4450 miles including driving around while at Mom & Dad’s, and 78 hours of engine time. But was it worth it? DEFINITELY!!!
Today we slept in and skipped church. After breakfast and computer time, we got the van unloaded and while Ryan and I were doing that, Robert got all the recycling picked up from the yard. Our recycle bin blew over during the high winds last Thursday and left stuff all over the yard. Once the van was empty, we made a menu for the week and I got a grocery list made and Ryan and I also got laundry started. We got the 2nd load in the washer before we headed out to the commissary to do our grocery shopping. It wasn’t too bad considering it’s payday weekend. We got all kinds of stuff to get stocked back up. After we had gotten all the groceries put away when we got home, Ryan and I got clothes folded and I got supper cooking. We had chicken pot pies. I called Mom and chatted with her for about 45 minutes and while talking, I got bread going in the bread machine and got another load of laundry folded. After the phone call I got some stitching done. Now for bed. . .
Today’s high: 54
Current: 38
It’s a new year with new goals for fitness. I surpassed my running goal of 300 miles by almost 63 miles, so I upped the goal to 400 for this year. My push ups and crunches goals remain the same from last year. I’ll give them a second shot at success. And then a countdown to my next major race – my first relay! It’s a 200 mile relay with a 12 person team. Each runner runs 3 legs over the course of the race.
armytbonegirl 
Whoa, Ragnar is only 1 month and 2 weeks away?? Really???
It sure is!! Can’t wait!